Mount for paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen



2,868,072 Patented Jan. 13, 1959 MOUNT FOR PARAFFIN-BLOCKED HISTOLOGICTISSUE SPECIMEN Edwin C. Weiskopf, Brewster, N. Y., and Michael CharlesGioia, North Bergen, N. J., assignors to Technicon International Ltd.,Chauncy, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 29, 1955,Serial No. 497,712

13 Claims. (Cl. 88-40) This invention relates generally to a mountingdevice for a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen and,

United States Patent ()filice such as a plug or block formed of wood ormolded fiber or a metal holder, and the paper container is removed.Where wood or molded fiber blocks are used, they remain permanentlyafiixed to the paraffin-blocked specimen and have the attendantdisadvantage of being relatively bulky and therefore utilize excessivespace when filed. Where metal holders are utilized they are removed fromthe paraffin-blocked specimen for filing the latter due to the cost ofsuch holders, adding technicians time and labor to the handling of suchspecimens. Furthermore, a mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissuespecimen must be oriented in the same position in the specimen holder'of a microtome, especially when recutting a paraffinblocked specimenthat has been filed, and this orientation is a delicate and timeconsuming procedure utilizing blocks or holders of the characterdescribed above. It is accordingly the primary aim and object of thisinvention to provide an improved mounting device for a paraffinblockedspecimen which obviates the disadvantages of the heretofore usedmounting devices and which provides for a relatively thin mountedparafiin-blocked specimen,

7 whereby to minimize the space required for filing such specimens, saidmounting device providing a ready means for mounting such specimens inproperly oriented position in the specimen holder of a m1crotome.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedmounting device for a paraffin blocked specimen which is adapted to befirmly releasably clamped to a specimen holder for mounting suchspecimen in position and which is adapted to provide a small clampingforce for releas-ably supporting such specimen on the release of thespecimenholder clamping pressure.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of animproved mounting device for a paraflinblocked specimen which is ofsimple design and construction, and which may be economically massproduced.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully understood from the following descriptionconsidered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawing which illustrates the best modes now contemplated by usfor carrying out our invention;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mounted parafiinblocked histologictissue specimen shown secured to a, Specimen holder of a microtome;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a parafiin-blocking mold formed accordingto the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate and one form of adaptordevice for a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen according tothe present invention with the mounting plate and adaptor device shownin disassembled relation; 7

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View, on an enlarged scale, of a mountedparaflin block histologic tissue specimen shown in assembled relationwith the adaptor device of Fig. 5; t

Fig. 7 1S a sectional view taken on' the line 7-4. of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of adaptordevice; and Y Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further modified form ofadaptor device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown a mountedparafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimen 10 which is formed by themethod and apparatus to be described in detail hereinafter, said mountedparaffinblocked specimen being adapted to be releasably clamped to thespecimen block holder 12 of the microtome 14 for slicing specimensections of accurately predetermined thickness for histologicalexamination.

The mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen 10 is formed byutilizing the parafiin-blocking mold 16 which may be formed of anysuitable material, such as neoprene, polyethylene, Bakelite, or thelike. The paraffin-blocking mold 16 comprises a receptacle part 18 whichis of quadrilateral configuration and which has an opening 20 ofquadrilateral cross section extending therethrough, said opening havingan enlarged part 22 at the bottom thereof defining the peripherallyextending shoulder 24 which is adapted for a purpose .which will beevident from the description which follows. The opening 20 and theenlarged bottom part 22 thereof have side walls 26 and 28, respectively,which diverge outwardly towards the bottom face 30 of the part 18 inorder to facilitate the removal of the mounted paraffin-blockedhistologic tissue specimen 36 from the receptacle part 18 of the mold16. It will be understood that the receptacle part 18 and the opening 20extending therethrough may be of any desired size and shape and thespecific embodiment illustrated and described is given by way of exampleonly. The paraffin-blocking mold 16 further includes the mounting device32 which is best shown in Fig. 5, said mounting device being adapted toform a removable bottom wall of the receptacle part 18. The mountingdevice or block 32 is of a size an'dshape as to removably fit in theenlarged part 22 of opening 26, as shown in Fig. 6, and said mountingdevice, which may be formed of any suitable material such as Bakelite orany other suitable plastic, has an outer planar scored face 34 which isadapted to form the bottom wall of the cavity 35 when the mounting blockis in assembled relation with the receptacle part 18 of the mold. Thusthe side walls tion which follows and said block is adapted to mount theparaflin-blocked histologic tissue'specimen 36, the latter beingconstituted by a solidified block of prafiin having a tissue specimen Sembedded therein. The

- mounting block 32 is of quadrilateral configuration cor- 3 respondingto the configuration of the side walls 28of the enlarged part 22 andsaid block is adapted to fit in said enlarged part with the peripherallyextending marginal edge portion 38 interengaging with the peripheralshoulder 24'. Accordinglytheperipheral shoulder 24 of the part 18constitutes; abutment means ifor'v the mounting block the latter beingassembled to the part 18 byrbeing positioned in the enlarged openingZZ'Wiih the periph erally extending marginal edge portion 38 abuttingthe peripheral shoulder 24.

The scored or interrupted surface area or face 34 is adapted for theadhesion theretoof the paralfin-blocked histologic specimen 36, it beingnoted that the score lines 40 extend longitudinally and laterally of themounting block with said score lines being spaced uniformly andrelatively close toeach other in the illustrated embodiment. The somelines 40 define a corresponding series of depressions and the latterprovide for the adhesion of the parafiin-blocked specimen. 36 to theplate 32, it being understood that molten paraflin will flow into suchdepressions: to provide a firm securement between such parafiin-blockedspecimen and the mounting plate 32.

. Inpractice, the. mounted paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen10 is prepared by pouring molten parafiin in the cavity 35 andimmersingor placing. the impregnated tissuespeoimen S in the moltenparaffin in said cavity. More parafiin ispoured into the cavity 35 untilthe specimen S is covered and thereafter the paraffin is allowed 'tosolidify to form the paraflin-blocked tissue specimen 36', the latterbeing adhered to the scored. face 34 of the mounting block 32 andthe-tapered side walls 26 of the opening 20. As noted above, the scoredface 34 constitutes a; removable bottom wall of the mold and after theparafiincontaining the specimen S has solidified, suificient pressureisapplied on the top surface 46' of the paraffin-blocked tissuespecimen36' to release the latter and the. mounting, device-32 from the mold. Itwill. be apparent-thatthe. tapered side walls 26 .of the mold fa'c'ili--tate the. release of the parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimentherefrom, the mounted paraffin-blocked specimen 10 which has now beenreleased from the receptacle part 18 of the mold 16 being adapted to beclamped to the specimen block holder 12 in the manner to be describedhereinafter; From the above it will be apparent that the aforedescribedmethod for forming a mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimenprovides for the mounting of such blocked specimens in the sameoperation with the formation thereof.

, The specimen block holder'1 2 ofv microtome 14 is conventional in allrespects and is releasably secured in ad justed position to the part 56of the microtome by means of the pair of clamping screws. 58. Thespecimen block holder 12 comprises a. stationary block. '59 and a block60 whichis movable towards and away from the stationary block by meansof the screw member 62 which mounts the movable block 60. The screwmember-.62 is adapted to be-rotated by-the lever 64 forclampingandunclamp ing the-adaptor members to be described. hereinafterbetween the relatively movable companion blocksz58'and59.

The side 69 of the mounting. block or; plate 32 isIpro-- vided withaseries of spaced recesses or apertures'lll'a'nd in order to mount theplate to the holder 12, there isprovided an adaptor device'72 which:comprises a companion pair of resiliently interconnected adaptor members74 and-74.

which are adapted for releasable engagement in the aper tures 70 of themounting plate32. The apertures and pin members 70 and '78,respectively, are spaced nonequidistant in the assembled relation of themounting Projecting from the faces 76 and 76 0f members 74 and 74,respectively, are pin members 78 at 80, said grooves collectivelydefining the pivot. pin mounting aperture 82 which is adapted for thereception of the pivot pin 84. The pivot pin 84 is headed at itsopposite ends as indicated at 86 and the aperture 82 1s correspondinglyenlarged at its opposite ends as indicated at 88 for the reception'of'said heads 86. The headed pivot pin 84 is adapted to be positioned inits complementary aperture 82 on the assembly of the blocks 74 and 74.toeach other in the manner to be described hereinafter. It is to be notedthat the members 74 and 74 define a slot 98 therebetween adjacent thepivot pin aperture 82, said slot being adapted to provide the requisiteamount of clearance for the pivotal movement of said members away fromeach other. The adaptor members 74 and 74' are provided with registeringapertures 92 and 94, respectively, which extend therethrough, saidaperture 92 being internally threaded as indicated at 96 and saidaperture. 94 being countersunk as indicated at 98'. The apertures 92 and94 are further provided with registering enlarged. portions. 100 and102, said enlarged portions collectively defining the internal chamber104. The members 74 and 74 are resiliently interconnected by means ofthe belt 106 which is threaded through the compression spring 108, thethreaded part 110 of said bolt being threadedly engaged in thethreadedaperture 96 with the head 112 of said bolt disposed in the countersunkportion 98 of aperture 94. The spring 108 surrounds a portion of thebolt 106 and is seated in the chamber 104 to resiliently urge-themembers 74 and 74 pivotally away from each other. In the assembly of theadaptor device 72 the spring108 is positioned in the chamber 104 and thebolt 106 is extended through said spring and threadedly interengaged inthe threaded aperture 96. The adaptor device 72 and the mounting plate32 are releasably assembled to eachother by inserting the pin members 78in their associated apertures 70 and this mounting plate and adaptorassembly is adapted to be clamped to the specimen holder 12 of themicrotome for clamping the mounted paratfin-blocked specimen it) inproperly oriented position. In practice, the adaptor device and mountedparafiin-blocked specimen assembly is releasably clamped between theblocks 59 and 60 of the specimen block holder 12 by manipulating thelever 64 in a clamping direction, it being apparent that this mountingarrangement provides for the securement of the paraffin-blocked specimen10 to holder 12 in properly oriented relation. On manipulating the lever64 to release the specimen holder clamping pressure, the members 74 and74' will be urged apart by the spring 108 against blocks 59 and 60, thisarrangement providing a loose clamping force for releasably supportingthe mounted paraffin-blocked specimen in the microtome holder. Ifdesired, the adaptor device 72 may be left in loosely clamped relationin the holder 12 in which case the selected mounted paraffinblockedspecimen may be readilysecured thereto in the manner described above andfirmly clamped in position in the microtome holder. It will beunderstood that on the firm clamping of the device 72 between the blocks59 and 60 of the holder 12, the pin members 78 will exert a .lateralforce against the walls of the apertures 70 to firmly clamp the mountedparaffin-blocked specimen 10 in position. On the release of the specimenholder clamping pressure, the spring 108 will provide for the exertionof a small clamping force between the apertures andpin members 70 and78, respectively, for loosely supporting the mounted parafiin-blockedspecimen in the specimen holder.

With reference to Fig. 8, there is shown a modified form of adaptordevice which comprises a companion pair of members 122 and 122 which arereleasably interconnected to each other by means of the bolt and nut 124and 126, respectively. The members 122 and 122 are provided withregistering apertures 128 and 130, respectively, which are adapted forthe reception of the bolt 124 therethrough, said apertures beingcountersunk, as indicated at 132 and 134, respectively, for thereception of the nut 126 and bolt head 136, respectively. The members122 and 122' are laterally movable away from each other out ofinterengagement and disposed between said members is a spring 138 forbiasing said members away from each other. The members 122 and 122' areprovided with aligned recesses 140 and 140" and the spring 138 has endportions 142 and 142 which are seated in said recesses 140 and 140,respectively. Projecting from the members 12.! and 122 are pin members78 which correspond in all respects to'the pin members 78 previouslydescribed. Thus the spring member 138 urges the members 122 and 122'laterally apart for the purposes aforenoted in connection with thedescription of the device 72. Accordingly, 'thevdevice 120 is adaptedfor association with a mounted paraffin-blocked specimen in the mannerpreviourly described in detail.

' W1th reference to Fig. 9, there is shown an adaptor device 150 whichcomprises members 152 and 152 which are integrally joined to each otheras indicated at 154,said integral portion providing for the resilientbiasing of said members away from each other. The portion 154, whichconstitutes the resilient biasing means of device 150, extends fcr thefull width of members 152 and 152', said integral portion being definedby the circular opening 156, which extends for the full width of saiddevice, and which is disposed at the inner end of the slot 158 definedbetween said members. The device 150 may be readily fabricated from aone-piece blank by slotting the latter as indicated at 158 and bydrilling said blank as indicated at 156 to define the relatively narrowlongitudinally extending integral formation 154. Projecting from themembers 152 and 152' are pin members 78" which correspond in allrespects to the pin members 78 and 7 8 previously described. From theabove, it will be apparent that as long as the adaptor device 72, 120 or150 is consistently positioned in the holder 12, the aforedescribedarrangement provides for the orientation and reorientation of theparafiin-blocked tissue specimen in the same position in the specimenholder of the microtome and, accordingly, when recutting a paraffinblock that has been filed, it is unnecessary for the technician tomanually orient such parafiin-blocked specimen in accordance with theheretofore used technique.

The mounted paraffin-blocked tissue specimen 10 is relatively thinwhereby to minimize the space required for filing such specimens and itwill be understood that once a parafi'in-blocked specimen is mounted themounting block 32 is not removed therefrom. The thickness of themounting block or plate 32 is substantially less than the lengths of thesurface axes of the outer face 34 thereof in order to minimize the bulkof a mounted specimen, this arrangement enabling the mounting plate withthe specimen 36 secured thereto to be filed in a shallow drawer or trayof a filing cabinet. Certain features shown and described herein areclaimed in the application of Edwin C. Weiskopf for Method and Apparatusfor Forming a Mounted Parafiin-Blocked Histologic Tissue Specimen,

Serial No. 497,546, filed concurrently herewith, and assigned to theassignee of the present invention.

While we have shown and described the preferred emb-odiments of ourinvention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in theidea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face with an interrupted surface area for the adhesionthereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, adaptor means formounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means being ofsuch conformation as to always orient the tissue specimen in the sameposition relative to said specimen holder, and means providing for there-' leasable interengagement of said adaptor means and said plate.

2. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means and said mounting plate havingreleasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation providefor the mounting of said plate to said adaptor means, saidinterengageable parts having provision to always orient the mountingplate in the same position relative to said adaptor means.

3. A device for mounting a parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer planar face with an interrupted surface area for theadhe-' sion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, andadaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, saidadaptor means comprising a companion pair of resiliently interconnectedmembers adapted to be clamped together by said specimen holder, saidmembers and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable partswhich in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plateto said adaptor means and for clamping said plate to said adaptor meansin response to the clamping of said members.

4. A device for mounting a parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sectionsformicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair ofresiliently interconnected members, oneof the latter and said mountingplate having pin means and the other of said members and said mountingplate having formations complementary to said pin means, said pin meansand said formations being adapted for releasable interengagement for themounting of said plate to said members, the latter being adapted to bepressure urged towards each other by the specimen holder for clampingsaid mounting plate in position, said members being adapted to beclamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said memberstoward each other and for applying a clamping force between saidreleasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position.

5. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair ofmembers resiliently urged away from each other, said members and saidmounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in theirengaged relation provide for the releasable mounting of said plate tosaid members, the latter in engaged relation with said plate beingadapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urgingsaid members toward each other and for applying a clamping force betweensaid releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position.

6. A device for mounting a parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means corn prising a companion pair ofmembers pivotally movable towards and away from each other, and meansfor resiliently biasing said members away from each other, said membersand said mounting'plate having releasably interengageable parts which intheir engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to'saidmembers.

7. A device for-mounting parafiin-blocked histologic ti'ssue'specimentothe specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair ofmembers resiliently urged away from each other, said members and saidmounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in theirengaged relationprovide for the releasable mounting of said plate tosaid members, the'latter in engaged relation with said plate beingadapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urgingsaid members toward each other and for applying a clamping force betweensaid releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position,said members being pivotally movable towards and away from each otherand having spring means disposed therebetween for urging said membersaway from each other.

8. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder'of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair ofmembers resiliently urged away from eachother, said members and saidmounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in theirengaged relation provide for'the releasable mounting of said plate tosaid members, the latter in engaged relationwith said plate beingadapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urgingsaid members toward each other and for applying a clamping force betweensaid releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position,said members being laterally movable away from each other out ofinterengagement and having spring means disposed therebetweenfor urgingsaid members in said last mentioned direction.

9. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraflin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair ofmembers having integrally joined portions, said members being movabletowards and away from each other and being resiliently biased in saidlast mentioned direction by said integrally joined portions, saidmembers and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable partswhich in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plateto said members, and said members being adapted to be clamped betweenthe jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward eachother and for applying a clamping force be tween said parts.

10. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor means comprisinga companion pair ofmembers resiliently urged away. from each other, said members and saidmounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in theirengaged relation provide for the releasable mounting of said plate tosaid members, the latter in engaged relation with-said plate beingadapted to be clamped between the jaws of. the specimen holder forurging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping forcebetween said releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate inposition, said members having integrally joined portions and beingmovable towards and away from each other, said integrally joinedportions constituting means for resiliently-biasing said members in saidlast mentioned direction.

' 11. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissuespecimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissuesections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising amounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of aparaffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mountingsaid plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising acompanion pair of members having integrally joined portions, at one sidethereof, said members being movable towards and away from each other andbeing resiliently biased in said last mentioned direction by saidintegrally joined portions, said members at the opposite side thereofand said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which intheir engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to saidmembers, and said members being adapted to be clamped between the jawsof the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and forapplying a clamping force between said parts.

12. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, .comprising'a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor and said mounting plate having companionreleasable interengageable parts for removably securing said plate tosaid adaptor, said parts of said plate being related to the companionparts respectively of said adaptor in non-symmetrical relation wherebysaid plate and adaptor are attachable to each other by saidinterengageable parts in only one predetermined relative position, andsaid adaptor being of multi-lateral conformation for securement to saidspecimen holder in only one predetermined relative position.

13. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimento the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections formicroscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting platehaving an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blockedhistologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to thespecimen holder, said adaptor and said mounting plate having companionreleasable interengageable parts for removably securing said plate tosaid adaptor, said parts of said plate being releated to the companionparts respectively of said adaptor in non-symmetrical relation wherebysaid plate and adaptor are attachable to each other by saidinterengageable parts in only one predetermined relative position, andsaid adaptor being of multilateral conformation for securement to saidspecimen holder in only one predetermined relative position saidinterengageable parts comprising recesses in said mounting plate and pinprojections on said adaptor receivable respectively in said recessesonly in said predetermined relative position of said plate and adaptor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,212,953 Popp et a1 Aug. 27, 1940 2,494,834 Ringheim Jan. 17, 19502,549,830 Logan et al. Apr. 24, 1951

